Referees boycott Rockhampton Secondary Schools Rugby League finals

Hundreds of players, spectators and officials from 12 schools have been threatened with suspensions over clashes with referees. Here’s what it means for the competition going forward.

Referees did not take the field in last week’s games of the Rockhampton District Secondary Schools Rugby League competition but are set to return this week.

Players, officials and spectators have been put on notice after referees boycotted last week’s Rockhampton District Secondary Schools Rugby League games because of ongoing abuse.

Their decision meant 42 games were not played in the competition, which features 84 teams from 12 schools in divisions from Year 7 through to open.

RDSSRL Andrew Lawrence said abusive behaviour would not be tolerated and suspensions would be imposed if it continued.

He said while regrettable, he fully supported the stance of the Rockhampton Rugby League Referees Association.

The two parties have since met to work through the issues and the referees will take the field for this week’s semi-finals.

They devised a series of guidelines for games, one of which is having an identifiable person who is responsible for ground management and is there to support referees.

They were forwarded to the schools, as was a stern warning that no one was to approach the referee.

Mr Lawrence said referees officiating in the RDSSRL were aged 14 and older.

“It was not just a one-off thing. There’s been incidents over a period of time that have continued to evolve and grow.

“The referees sent us an email saying that these things were getting out of control and we needed to get together and sort it out quickly.

“We have held talks and are moving forward in a positive direction.

“RDSSRL supports our referees – they’re vital to our game.

“We’re fully behind them and want to provide them with a safe and supportive environment.

“We’ve got a lot of beginning referees and we want them to be able to grow and become better, just as we do with our players.”

Mr Lawrence said that everyone attending games was on notice.

“If we get people who step out of line, suspensions will be handed down,” he said.

“At times I think people forget it is just a game. Everyone wants to win but we need to make sure we do it in an appropriate manner.

“Same for people on the sidelines, there’s a right way and a wrong way to cheer.”

The issue is not restricted to Rockhampton nor to rugby league with similar incidents regularly making headlines across the state.

In June 2019, referees of senior games in the Football CQ competition also threatened a walkout over “ongoing unacceptable behaviour of some spectators and club officials”.

Guidelines established by the RDSSRL and RRLRA:

• Each ground must have an identifiable person who is responsible for ground management. They are there to support the referee.
• Each field must have designated benches for the teams. Also, only the team and coaching staff (no more than five in the coaching staff) are allowed at the benches.
• Coaches/managers are to remain at the benches.
• First aid officers/water runners/trainers are to remember that they give water/message or attend to an injured player and then get off the field. At no time do they approach a referee.
• First aid officers, water runners/trainers must be clearly identified by either a fluoro vest or by the QRL sanctioned shirts. Anyone not in these will not be allowed to enter the field of play.

Originally published as Referees boycott Rockhampton Secondary Schools Rugby League finals